The Oldest Cities You Can Visit In Europe
Did you know that visitors to Europe can take a journey back in time through some of the oldest cities in the world? This article explores some of the most ancient cities in Europe, some of which are even still inhabited today and contain traces of their ancient past.
Each city has its own unique narrative of human civilization, showcasing a blend of architectural marvels, from cave dwellings and ancient theatres to Byzantine fortresses and Venetian walls.
These cities are significant not only for their long age but also because they still live today, bearing witness to the evolution of society, culture, and technology through millennia.
This guide promises to reveal some of the layers of Europe’s ancient past by highlighting some of the oldest cities you can visit in Europe today, along with their historical sites, archaeological treasures, and the stories that make them a must-visit for those seeking to immerse themselves in European history.
Matera, Italy
Age: ~10000 years old | Historical Site: Sassi & Rupestrian Churches
Matera, Italy, was established around 7,000 BC, making it Europe’s oldest city and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The city is particularly famous for its Sassi, ancient cave dwellings carved into the limestone cliffs.
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Other important historical sites in the city include the Cathedral of Matera, situated on the highest point of the city, and the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, carved into the rock and decorated inside with frescoes dating from the 12th to the 17th centuries.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Age: ~8000 years old | Historical Site: Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe, has a history that dates back over 6,000 years. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest settlement in the area that would become Plovdiv was established during the Neolithic period, around 4000 BC or earlier.
Key historical sites to see in the city include the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world from the 1st century AD; the Old Town of Plovdiv, which is currently on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status; and the ancient Thracian ruins on Nebet Tepe.
Thebes (Thiva), Greece
Age: ~5000 years old | Historical Site: Mycenaean Palace & Isminion Temple
The earliest settlement in Thebes, Greece, dates to around 3000 BC or even earlier, during the Neolithic period. Thebes emerged as a major Mycenaean city-state, reaching its zenith in the 4th century BC, when it briefly dominated the Greek world. It was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 335 BC and rebuilt but never fully regained its former power.
Modern Thebes is built on top of the ancient city and ruins are still visible around the city. Some of the most important historical sites in Thebes are the Mycenaean palace, the Isminion temple devoted to Apollo and the Cadmian Gates.
Argos, Greece
Age: ~9000 years old | Historical Site: Ancient Theatre & Larisa Fortress
The city of Argos is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with roots that stretch back as early as 7000 BC. The first inhabitants of the area were the Pelasgians. The city became an important centre for Greek civilization, as illustrated by its large theatre built in the 3rd century BCE with a capacity of 20,000 spectators.
Other important sites in the city of Argos that showcase its long history, apart from the ancient theater, include the ruins of Larisa fortress, which was once the ancient citadel or acropolis of the city. The walls that you see today were built around the 6th century BC but there is evidence to suggest the presence of an early fortification as well.
Larissa, Greece
Age: ~8000 years old | Historical Site: Ancient Theatre of Larissa
Larissa, situated in the fertile plains of Thessaly in Greece, is another ancient European city with a rich history. Archaeological evidence suggests that Larissa has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic era, with its earliest settlement dating back to at least 6000 BC.
The Ancient Theatre of Larissa, built in the 3rd century BC, is the city’s most prominent ancient landmark. While the theatre was severely damaged by earthquakes over the course of history, it is still a strong reminder of Larissa’s ancient past. The city’s Alcazar Park is also home to the remains of a Byzantine fortress and an Ottoman-era covered market (Bezesteni), reflecting the city’s medieval history.
Athens, Greece
Age: ~6000 years old | Historical Site: Acropolis & Parthenon
Athens, the capital of Greece, has a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. The city reached its zenith in the 5th century BC during the classical period, known as the Golden Age of Athens, under the leadership of Pericles. Athens is best known for the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
The ancient citadel was the nucleus around which the city of Athens developed and expanded over the centuries into the metropolis it is today. It was built in the 5th century BC and contains the remains of several ancient buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Chania, Crete
Age: ~5000 years old | Historical Site: Venetian Harbour & Firkas Fortress
Chania, located on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete, dates back to the Minoan age (3650–1400 BC), but archaeological evidence appears to suggest it has been inhabited since the Neolithic era.
The city was an ancient centre, as shown by the ancient city-state of Kydonia, which is located in the area where Chania stands today. The city became particularly prominent during the Venetian occupation, whose influence is still seen in Chania’s Venetian Harbour, the Venetian Lighthouse, Firkas Fortress and the city’s old town.
Patras, Greece
Age: ~6000 years old | Historical Site: Roman Odeon & Patras Castle
Patras, located in the western part of the Peloponnese in Greece, has been inhabited since the Mycenaean era, around the 15th century BC, when it was one of the major cities of the Mycenaean world. Ancient Patras was formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages located in modern Aroe, Antheia and Mesatis.
It was conquered by the Romans around the 4th century BC, whose influence can still be seen today in the city with sites like the Roman Odeon, built in the 2nd century AD, and the Castle of Patras, a well-preserved Byzantine (Roman) fortification built in the late 6th century on top of the ancient Acropolis.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Age: ~6000 years old | Historical Site: Venetian Walls
Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, has a rich history that dates back over 4,500 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe in general. The city has been the capital since the 10th century and has been influenced by a number of different colonising forces, including the Romans, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, and British.
A good example of this can be seen in the Venetian walls surrounding the old city. These impressive defensive walls were constructed in the 16th century to protect Nicosia from invasion. History enthusiasts will also find a permanent exhibition recording the history of the capital from 3900 BC.
Larnaca, Greece
Age: ~6000 years old | Historical Site: Kition & Choirokoitia
Larnaca, located on the southern coast of Cyprus, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the island, with evidence of settlement dating back more than 4,000 years. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, which was established in the 13th century BC by Mycenaean Greeks.
The archaeological site of Choirokoitia, a Neolithic settlement located a bit outside Larnaca, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides insights into one of the earliest known forms of human habitation on the island. The site, which was occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennia B.C., is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean.
